Football Friday

Thursday

Sep 13, 2012 at 5:33 PMSep 13, 2012 at 5:35 PM

Friday night's high school football matchups

Mike Landis

West Prairie (0-3) at Stark County (2-1)Kickoff — 7 p.m. at Gary Johnson Field in Wyoming.Last Week — Stark County lost to Annawan-Wethersfield 30-29 and West Prairie lost to Mid-County 30-12.Last Year — Stark County beat West Prairie 67-12.In the Spotlight — It's bounce back week for the Rebels as they try to put last Friday's loss to Annawan-Wethersfield in the rear-view mirror. West Prairie enters the contest with a 23-game losing skid. The Cyclones have yet to win a Lincoln Trail game since entering the conference in 2010. The Rebels have scored a kickoff or punt return touchdown in each of the first three weeks, courtesy of Jake or Danny Berchtold. Stark County quarterback Justin Kohler will be back under center this week after cramps limited him in the second half against Annawan-Wethersfield.In the Polls — Stark County dropped four spots to No. 9 in the Class 1A poll.Next Week — Stark County travels to River Valley, where Coach Jade Noard will match wits with his father, veteran River Valley head coach Galen Noard. West Prairie hosts Annawan-Wethersfield.

River Valley (0-3) at Mid-County (1-2)Kickoff — 7 p.m. at Bill Adams Field in Oneida.Last Week — Mid-County earned its first win 30-12 over West Prairie and River Valley lost a 35-34 shootout to Princeville.Last Year — Mid-County slipped past River Valley 21-20.In the Spotlight — After going scoreless in the first two weeks, Mid-County discovered its offense in the win against West Prairie. Conner King led the ground attack with 132 yards, while sophomore quarterback Conner Kelly tossed his first varsity TD pass to Kyle Wexell. River Valley running back/linebacker Nathan Helle is expected to return from an ankle injury that sidelined him against Princeville.Next Week — Mid-County travels to Mercer County and River Valley hosts Stark County.

Erie-Prophetstown (2-1) at Bureau Valley (2-1)Kickoff — 7:30 p.m. at Turbine Field in Manlius.Last Week — Bureau Valley lost to Sterling Newman 30-13 and Erie-Prophetstown topped Riverdale 14-7.Last Year — Bureau Valley beat Erie-Prophetstown 41-26.In the Spotlight — It's a key Week 4 game for the Storm and Panthers as the winner remains in touch with the top spot in the Big Rivers Conference. BV's scores in the loss to Newman came courtesy of the big play — Kristian Konneck with a 71-yard touchdown run and Parker Neuhalfen with a 92-yard kickoff return. Subbing for injured starter Ethan Howard, freshman Jordan Chandler won in his first varsity start at quarterback in Week 3. Chandler scored two touchdowns in E-P's 14-7 win over the Rams.Next Week — Bureau Valley hosts St. Bede and Erie-Prophetstown hosts Morrison.

Ridgewood (0-3) at United (2-1)Kickoff — 7 p.m. at United High School, just outside of Monmouth.Last Week — Ridgewood lost to West Central 30-18 and United fell to Mercer County 33-6.Last Year — United beat Ridgewood 41-7.In the Spotlight — The Red Storm will look to rebound from their first loss, while Ridgewood tries to get its first win under new head coach Brad Bevis. United outgained Mercer County and had two running backs crack 100 yards — Michael Olin and Grant Schrock — in a loss that was closer than the final score would indicate. Olin rushed for 269 yards in United's Week 2 win over River Valley. Three Ridgewood running backs — Jacob Peterson, Elisha McCreary and Nick Ragan — combined for nearly 200 yards rushing in the loss to West Central.Next Week — Ridgewood hosts Princeville for homecoming Saturday, Sept. 22, at Cambridge and United travels to West Central.